Tag Archives: Steve Earle

Tyneside artist, Lee McDade, is intent on continuous delivery as he follows up his own, recent, album launch at The Cluny, with support of Northern Country Queen, Chloe Chadwick, at hers at Think Tank.

McDade, who like Chloe has taken several years to release their debut, grew up on a diet of good ol’ rock n’ roll.

Unlike the rock stars though McDade prefers the shorter tracks in life, although his day job may suggest otherwise, and you’d also be forgiven for thinking that his ‘Greatest Hits’ was arrogantly titled, however it’s definitely more a tongue-in-cheek scenario.

“I recently released my own debut album, my ‘Greatest Hits,’ at The Cluny,” began Lee.

“It was cheekily called that and was just one of those moments but that’s what they are, they’re my greatest hits so far.”

McDade’s background in music though may cause surprise, in a roundabout way. That rock n roll diet could bode well for the future in the industry and, having looked more punk rock than country, the image may well have gone with the sound.

“I grew up listening to the likes of Elvis Presley, Queen and Bruce Springsteen, that’s what my early years were like.

“However, I prefer to keep my music short and sweet rather than those lengthier versions.

“It was my auntie that got me into country though when she gave me some Garth Brooks, but for me the influence has to be Steve Earle and it’s because of that I’d say my style is more Americana than country and I’ve probably been doing it this way for maybe five or six years now.”

With gigs aplenty McDade took a chance a couple of years ago, swapping, albeit briefly, Northern England for West Coast USA and New Jersey, performing a few gigs which can only have benefited any artist.

That, combined with an increasing number of dates on home soil, have instilled increasing confidence in the artist and helps him look forward to a more positive future.

“We’re always looking at what the next step will be and pushing things on,” he continued.

“I’ve an album to promote so we’ll certainly be doing something there.

“The support I’ve had from Stephen Cunningham and Boomchang Records has been great and I can’t thank people like him enough for that support and it’s just a case of taking chances when they present themselves.

“I’m happy to be a part of anything and that’s good whilst being realistic with what can be achieved.”

Showing respect for Chadwick’s talent he concluded saying: “She (Chloe) is an immensely talented woman and an amazing talent.

“I’ve found it difficult meeting like-minded people who dig what I dig but I’d rather be a pioneer in the industry than anything else.

“There’s so much to be said in music that I, we, put out there and it helps with any kind of mood. To me it’s a gift that’s meant to be given.”

Lee McDade, and Freeman, support Chloe Chadwick’s debut album launch at Think Tank, Newcastle on June 30. Tickets are available from the artists priced at £7 or from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/400890.